Limenitis astyanax, the Red-spotted Purple

Portland, United States

Stationery

Greeting Card

Artist's Description

Daniel Smith watercolor on Arches 140lb cold press.Among drawers-full of specimens in some dusty University corridor, the vivid crimson, orange, and deep turquoise contrast of this butterfly leaped at me. Rusty wingtips and high-contrast wing edging full of busy detail made this specimen one I had to capture, especially because it was so small and complex.This image is also available on a t-shirt:

Pete your work is exquisite in it’s detail! Wow I’m blown away! The colouring of this reminds me of the beautiful old scientific/botanical books. The light- luminosity/refraction (not the right term) you have created is incredible.Is this an American butterfly?